Damian McGinty's career has taken him around the world, but these days, Memphis is home. The Derry, Northern Ireland native is known for his work as a solo artist, his two-season run on the hit show Glee, and as a longtime member of Celtic Thunder, blending years of international touring with a growing body of personal, independent work.
Now based in the heart of the Mid South, McGinty continues to shape his sound—one that's rooted in his Irish heritage with pop, country and contemporary acoustic influences. His songwriting leans on storytelling, often pulling from personal experiences to create music that feels both grounded and honest.
Over the past decade and a half, McGinty's path has included highlights across television, film and stage. Fans first met him as a teenager with Celtic Thunder, and many followed his journey through The Glee Project and into his role as Rory Flanagan on Glee. Since then, he's appeared in multiple PBS specials, competed on the 2023 season of Dancing with the Stars and steadily built a solo career, releasing multiple EPs and full-length albums along the way.
Damian's varied and high-pressure professional experience reveals his desire to challenge himself and push himself creatively. "I want to be doing this professionally at a high level for as long as I can," Damian reflects. He says competing on Dancing with the Stars was one of the best decisions he's ever made. His dance partner, Kylee Vincent, dedicated hours working with him on their routines. Their hard work was rewarded with a well-earned journey to the finals as runners-up. Damian says, "Anything I do, I go fully in on." His commitment to his projects is evident whether he's dancing, singing or learning how to be a dad.
His latest project, Little Dream Come True, reflects a more personal chapter. Written as he became a father, the album explores the shift that happens when life changes in unexpected and meaningful ways. "I like records to be a very clear reflection of a chapter in life. In ten years, I can look back at a specific time period captured in the work," Damian notes. Even though this is a highly personal album, Damian has worked to make it relatable with themes of change and growth.
This summer, McGinty went back on the road with a solo tour, performing in cities across the U.S. This fall, he is touring with Celtic Thunder in 50 cities in North America, bringing his dual roles as bandmate and solo artist into balance once again. For all his time on the road, McGinty remains focused on evolving creatively and staying connected to what drives him: making music that resonates. Whether writing, performing or collaborating, he continues to navigate a career built on versatility, persistence and a genuine love for the craft.
Damian met his wife, Anna Claire, while they were both living in LA. During his many visits with his wife’s family and subsequent wedding in the River City, Damian noted how welcoming and community-driven the city is. Damian remembers, "At our wedding, we had a mix of Memphians and my Irish family, and they meshed so easily. Everyone is so full of personality and always ready to have a good time. We never left the dance floor." Damian appreciates the warmth with which Memphis welcomes newcomers. The couple’s move to Memphis, a city with its own deep musical roots, seems like a natural step toward a community ready to welcome another artist into its fold.
Little Dream Come True is available everywhere September 19th.
"The community we've found in Memphis is special."